Post-traumatic stress disorder and its associated factors among internally displaced people due to conflict in Northwest, Ethiopia

Mamaru Melkam ^* Girmaw Medfu Girum Nakie

• Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia

Background: Post-traumatic stress disorder is a mental health problem developed by being exposed to trauma like experiencing or witnessing life-threatening events including war and other natural disasters. Despite the high level of conflict, little attention is provided for post-traumatic stress disorder, particularly in low-and middle-income countries. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder and its associated factors among internally displaced people in northwest, Ethiopia.A cross-sectional study design was employed from June to July 2022 in Northwest Ethiopia among internally displaced people. Simple random sampling was used to recruit 410 study participants. The standard tools used for this study included; Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist-V (PLC-V), Kassler-10, and Oslo-Social Support Scale to assess the different variables.Binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with post-traumatic stress disorder. Statistically significant associated factors were selected at a 95% Confidence Interval (CI) with Adjusted Odd Ratio (AOR).The prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder among internally displaced people was 54.3% with a 95% CI (49.5, 59.3). Current substance users [AOR 95% CI: 2.01(1.16,3.48)], living arrangements being alone and living with non-relatives [AOR= 2.13; 95% CI (1.17,3.86) and [AOR= 2.39; 95% CI: (1.21,4. 70)] respectively, being violated [AOR= 2.49; 95% CI: (1.26,4.94)] and psychological distress [AOR=3.21; 95% CI: (4.35,9.34)] were significantly associated with post-traumatic stress disorder.The prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder among internally displaced people was high; therefore, stakeholders are needed to give immediate intervention through further assessments with diagnostic criteria and providing eye movement desensitization therapy reprocessing psychotherapy, and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors psycho-pharmacologicaly is recommended to be given accordingly. The risk factors need to be reduced for the better improvement of post-traumatic stress disorder.